subject: The Paradox Of School Technology [print this page] The Paradox of School Technology The Paradox of School Technology
There are some people that might argue that students will naturally acquire 21st Century Skills since they are surrounded by so much technology in their daily lives. They ask: "Why do we need to spend so much money on bringing technology into our schools?"
That argument would be like saying that since a student has a paper and pencil he will naturally acquire math skills like algebra or writing skills like poetry.
JUST BECAUSE STUDENTS HAVE TOOLS, IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE THE SKILLS.
This is the paradox of school technology and 21st Century Skills.
Just because a student might have a computer at home, it doesn't mean that they know how to truly use it. They lack the necessary 21st Century Skills. These news skills include such things like creativity, innovation, critical thinking and collaboration to just name a few. Skills that they will need to find employment in our new "flat" world.
And if his teachers do not have the proper tools and training themselves, they cannot teach the skills.
TEACHERS CANNOT TEACH THE SKILLS WITHOUT THE TOOLS.
Tools like interactive whiteboards, netbooks, cameras, flip videos, etc. plus the training necessary to be able to teach with these tools.
Modern technology doesn't replace teachers, it makes them more important than ever.
Most of the students I teach were all born in the 21st Century, they are truly digital natives, they know no other world that this. They cannot remember a world without the Internet or iPods. We are all just tourists in their world.
Now is more important than ever for us to give our students the technology they deserve and need to be employable in our new global economy. It is an investment in our future generation with returns far greater than anyone can imagine.
